Reasonableness: Commit to Evidence and Fair Deliberation

Reasonableness requires a commitment to evidence-informed decision-making and respect for open, civil dialogue, fair deliberation, thoughtful reflection, and sound argumentation. Reasonable people, like scientists, pay close attention to evidence in order to determine the best course of action. At first glance, this may seem obvious—when people deliberate, they should weigh the evidence. Yet human beings are also deeply emotional, and we often allow emotions or biases to distort our judgment.

What undermines reasonableness? Many forces can cloud our judgment: anger, retaliation, prejudice, envy, jealousy, closed-mindedness, or deference to authority. We have all seen decisions made not because they are supported by strong evidence, but because they harm someone we dislike, or because they confirm what we already believe. Often, we resist admitting we were wrong, and so we ignore evidence that contradicts us.

What does it mean to be reasonable?

• Being reasonable means being open to as many perspectives as possible. If we genuinely seek truth or the best outcome, we must welcome dialogue with those who disagree with us.

• It requires civil, respectful listening and charitable interpretation of other viewpoints. Even when we disagree, we should strive to understand why others believe what they do.

• It does not mean accepting all views as equally valid. We should respect every person’s right to hold and express an opinion, but we are not required to respect the truth of every opinion or the strength of every argument. Weak or flawed arguments can and should be identified respectfully, including one's own.

• Finally, reasonableness demands thoughtful reflection. A reasonable person holds a position only after serious consideration, deliberation, and openness to correction. They recognize the possibility of error, including one's own, knowing that truth-seeking is a continual process.

In short, reasonableness is not cold logic alone—it is the balance of rational deliberation, humility about one’s own limits, and respect for others in dialogue.

Reflection:

Think of a time when you resisted evidence because it went against your prior beliefs. How might practicing reasonableness—openness, reflection, and fair dialogue—have changed the way you approached the situation?